News Desk |
Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved a 3 year extension for Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
The decision was made public by a notification (Number 3232) issued from the Prime Minister Office.
The notification adds that that the period of General Bajwa’s second tenure as Army Chief will begin as soon as the first term expires.
Government has granted an extension of three years in the tenure of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. pic.twitter.com/oSCImgBFKl
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 19, 2019
General Bajwa’s current tenure ends on 29 November 2019. He has been in office since 2016.
The notification adds that the decision has been taken in “view of the regional security environment.”
Read more: The Man Behind Imran Khan!
This may be a reference to the escalating tensions with India, after the latter scrapped occupied Kashmir’s special status on August 5 and further increased number of troops in the disputed region. Recent comments by the Indian defense minister Rajnath Singh, over changing India’s policy on nuclear weapons has also concerned the Pakistani government and the military. On August 16, Rajnath Singh hinted that India may change its policy over its stated ‘no first use’ nuclear doctrine.
“India has strictly adhered to this doctrine. What happens in future depends on the circumstances,” Singh tweeted.
Pokhran is the area which witnessed Atal Ji’s firm resolve to make India a nuclear power and yet remain firmly committed to the doctrine of ‘No First Use’. India has strictly adhered to this doctrine. What happens in future depends on the circumstances.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 16, 2019
The situation on Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan is also critical as stakeholders in the Afghan conflict inch towards a solution to the long war.
However, the development is interesting as previously PM Imran Khan had spoken against extensions to military chiefs when he was an opposition leader, saying that extensions were not even given in world war.
"Generals were not given extensions even during world war… When you change the rules for one person… you destroy the entire institution" – Imran Khan
But
"Doing a U-turn… is the hallmark of great leadership" – also Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/H6aM7WYr69
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) July 16, 2019
PM Imran Khan had also lauded former Army Chief’s refusal to take an extension in 2016.
The nation's respect for General Raheel Sharif has gone up after his statement refusing to seek an extension..
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 25, 2016
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